Hi-
The BCI system shown on 60 minutes uses the P300 response which can be quite reliable. You wear a cap with electrodes that read the EEG. It is an amazing piece of technology. It is also time consuming and requires significant support and, as noted, it is still in research.

Though I did not see the show as I was in England, I am familiar with the gentleman on the video. He has a home system, but it is not commercially available. He has been beta testing new versions.

There are a few sites participating in studying the BCI in collaboration with Wadsworth in Albany. We are one site and our focus is on the feasibility of a home based system and making the system easier for the caregiver to use.

I know the people at Wadsworth are working with a site in North Carolina and they are also working with the VA as well. A good contact person at Wadsworth is Theresa Vaughan, though I am sure she is being inundated after the show. xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sara

Sara M. Feldman, MA, PT, ATP
phone: 215-762-5186
fax: 215-762-5051
MDA/ALS Center of Hope
Drexel University College of Medicine
www.alshopefoundation.org <http://www.alshopefoundation.org/>

________________________________

From: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx on behalf of Amy Roman
Sent: Thu 11/13/2008 4:31 AM
To: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Assistive Technology] BCI availablity?

Hey Alisa,
As you can imagine I am getting a lot of questions about the BCI ("brain computer interface") that was on 60 minutes.  Do you have any idea when this technology may become available to people throughout the US?  I have had little success with the other type of BCI systems that required volitional control of Alpha/Beta brainwaves.  This one has been looking much more promising.  Thanks!

Sincerely,

Amy Roman, MS, CCC-SLP
Augmentative Communication Specialist

Forbes Norris ALS Research Center
2324 Sacramento Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
P (415)600-1263
F (415)673-5184

CONFIDENTIAL OR PRIVILEGED: This communication contains information
intended only for the use of the individuals to whom it is addressed
and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or exempt from other disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended
recipient, you are notified that any disclosure, printing, copying,
distribution or use of the contents is prohibited. If you have
received this in error, please notify the sender immediately by telephone or by returning it by reply email and then permanently deleting the communicationfrom your system.
Thank you.

--- On Wed, 11/12/08, Alisa Brownlee <xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

	From: Alisa Brownlee <xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx>
	Subject: [Assistive Technology] IMAX
	To: "ALSA Listserv" <xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
	Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 12:53 PM

Just a comment to the group that I thought some would find useful. (and some of you probably already know this)

We are going for our first upgrade to the IMAX.  This PALS has a DV5 Max that was ordered last year.

One item to note:  When you order the IMAX attachment, you need an upgrade in memory.  If this upgrade was not ordered with the original purchase of the DV5 Max, there is a $450.00 charge for the upgrade.

If an upgrade is ordered when a 5 is ordered, the charge is $175.00.  So, bottom line is for all the 5 orders, if you think this person may eventually need an IMAX attachment, you should order the upgrade in advance.  This is not going to be funded by Medicare, so it will be an out of pocket expense.

Just thought I should put that out there for the group.

Thanks,
Alisa

Alisa Brownlee, ATP
Clinical Manager, Assistive Technology Services
ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) Association, Greater Philadelphia Chapter

Assistive Technology Consultant, ALS Association, National Office

Direct Phone Number: 215-631-1877

</pre><p><tt><<winmail.dat>></tt></p>